Endogenous plastic composite material in the Alzheimer’s brain

Summary 

Accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide in brain is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The resulting plaques though fibrous in nature may also consist of additional structures currently poorly defined. We hypothesize that plastic composite material contributes to plaque formation. This material is organized by polymers of acrolein, which is an oxidized lipid fragment found in AD. Acrolein, a 3-carbon compound, contains a carbonyl and a vinyl group that participate in polymerization via fundamental latex chemistry. The redox and surfactant properties of Aβ allow it to catalyze the polymerization of acrolein. We previously reported observations of thin plastic fragments of Aβ-polyacrolein. The current paper outlines the proposed steps in forming these plastic fragments. Endogenous plastic composite material may significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of AD.